Prospect Watch

The Saint John Sea Dogs were so deep that this draft prospect is a dark horse that will make some NHL team very happy. With an historical Quebec League season, a Memorial Cup victory and four players slotted to go in the first round of the NHL draft, it’s fair to say there may be a bit of Saint John Sea Dogs fatigue setting in.

A small, shifty scorer, Grimaldi is draft eligible in June and styles his game after a number of NHL players. Brian Gionta was drafted 82nd overall in 1998. Nathan Gerbe lasted until the 142nd selection in 2005. Martin St-Louis wasn’t drafted at all.

The passed-over Prince Albert Raiders star is shooting for a professional career after a breakout season. By Kyle Palantzas
Born in the USA hit fan-favorite status in northern Saskatchewan this season, serenading the crowd each time Prince Albert Raiders dynamo right winger Jonathan Parker lit the lamp.

It's been a Memorial Cup of ups and downs for one of the top Buffalo Sabres prospects. So much of the Memorial Cup can turn on the fate of a single game, so when the Western League’s Kootenay Ice lost captain Brayden McNabb to suspension for a round-robin game against Mississauga, it seemed like a death knell for the upstart squad.

Coming to North America to play high school hockey, Joona Kunnas was instantly noticeable and became a USHL draft pick. The Tri-City Storm grabbed a pair of Finns in this week’s United States League entry draft and the sixth-rounder is just as intriguing as the kid who went second overall.

The Shattuck St-Mary's scoring dynamo has a few options for his future after being selected first overall in the USHL draft. For a kid who turns just 16 next week, Taylor Cammarata has had a high-profile year. A center with the Shattuck St-Mary’s under-16 team this season, Cammarata led the squad in scoring with an incredible 71 goals and 139 points in 54 games.

The Edmonton Oil King isn't worried about where he sits in the NHL draft rankings, he's just looking forward to the next opportunity. By Andrew Echevarria
Often times, young hockey players derive their game from NHLers they look up to or capture inspiration from. In terms of scouting, it’s not eccentric to compare a young prospect’s game to that of a mature NHL player, to create a visual complement for the reader or listener.

At the recent College Hocey Inc. showcase, Max Domi, son of Tie, had a strong showing, along with a few other players. On Monday night, College Hockey Inc. held a showcase in Toronto for a group of elite youngsters, the majority of which were 1995 birthdays. With the Ontario League draft coming up May 7, these kids are approaching the hour when they will decide whether to go the major junior route or the NCAA way, so College Hockey Inc.

The son of Oilers president of hockey ops Kevin Lowe, Keegan is making his own name in the hockey world. When Edmonton Oil Kings blueliner Keegan Lowe needs advice, he simply walks down the hall of his family home.
As the son of Oilers dynasty defenseman and current president of hockey ops Kevin Lowe, Keegan has been doubly blessed by the fact he gets to play major junior in his hometown and also has the owner of six Stanley Cup rings around to help him with his game.

The second player granted exceptional status in the OHL is a big, mobile defenseman ready for all the challenges that lay ahead. Aaron Ekblad is a special player. An exceptional player, actually, a status earned by only a select few.
To be granted early entry into the Ontario League draft you really have to stand out - and not just on the ice.

This 2012 draft eligible player from the Vaughn Vipers is planning on heading to the USHL next season. If everything goes right for center Robert Polesello, he’ll be a long way from home next year.
Polesello just completed his season with the Ontario Jr.

This Northeastern Huskies defenseman is only a freshman, but at 6-foot-7, he's already being compared to Zdeno Chara. Northeastern Huskies freshman Jamie Oleksiak is 6-foot-7, plays the blueline and skates well. Is he the next coming of Tyler Myers? Experts have another comparable: “More like Zdeno Chara,” said one scout.